Zoysia Japonica Plant Named &#39;DR2011&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Zoysia japonica  plant named ‘DR2011’, characterized by the combination of a medium leaf blade, bright green foliage color, and a natural resistance to scalping; characteristics which are of commercial value.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES OF PLANT CLAIMED

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosedherein is Zoysia japonica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The novel variety of Zoysia japonica disclosed herein has been given thevariety denomination ‘DR2011’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofZoysia japonica, which has been given the variety denomination of‘DR2011’. Its market class is that of a turf grass. ‘DR2011’ is intendedfor use as a lawn grass in gardening, landscaping, sports fields andamenity horticulture.

Parentage

The new Zoysia japonica cultivar was discovered as a spontaneousmutation in a controlled, irrigated and full-sun planting of Zoysiajaponica (unpatented and unnamed) at a commercial turf grass productionoperation in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., USA. The spontaneous mutation wasobserved to possess a medium leaf blade and to retain a bright greenturf color and exceptional turf quality, in a soil known to have poorfertility; essentially giving the appearance of a healthy turf under alow-fertility maintenance regimen. Additionally, the instant mutationdid not appear to suffer an affect known as “scalping” when mowedinfrequently. Scalping occurs when a turf grass is mowed below theintended point of contact (i.e. the leaf blade) and severed at the cuim,thereby removing the entire leaf canopy and creating a generally brownor straw-like appearance of the turf stand and weakening the turf.

Stolons of said spontaneous mutation were collected in July of 2011 forfurther evaluation and the confirmation of the distinctivecharacteristics observed in the field. Said stolons were planted intomultiple plant propagation trays (also known as “plug trays”), and weregrown using typical nursery production procedure at the Inventor'scommercial turf grass farm in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. The resultantrooted “plugs” were transplanted to an in-ground field plot for furtherobservation. After approximately one year, the distinguishingcharacteristics initially observed were confirmed and the new cultivarwas given the designation of ‘DR2011’.

Asexual Reproduction

‘DR2011’ was first asexually propagated by cutting and division ofstolons and rhizomes in July of 2011 in New Smyma Beach, Fla. ‘DR2011’has since been further asexually propagated by means of cutting anddivision of stolons and rhizomes through two generations. Thedistinctive characteristics of the variety have remained stable and trueto type through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct cultivar of Zoysia japonica plant named ‘DR2011’,characterized by the combination of a medium leaf blade, bright greenfoliage color, and a natural resistance to scalping; characteristicswhich are of commercial value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The FIGURE illustrates a 14 month-old planting of ‘DR2011’, as nearlytrue as it is reasonably possible to make the same in colorillustrations of this type. Colors in the photographs differ slightlyfrom the color values cited in the detailed description, whichaccurately describes the colors of ‘DR2011’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of a Zoysia japonica turf grass plant known as ‘DR2011’. Plantobservations were made on propagules harvested from a 14 month-oldplanting at a commercial turf grass production operation in New SmyrnaBeach, Fla., USA. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosedherein are based upon observations made in November 2013 of mature‘DR2011’ grown in full sun and in accordance with commonly acceptedturfgrass production practices, with two applications of slow-releasefertilize and overhead irrigation as needed. No pest and diseasemeasures were taken. Mowing regimen would be classified as infrequent;that is, less than twice a month.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘DR2011’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety mayvary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and thelike. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society ColorChart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

-   Plant description:    -   -   Propagation.—Typical time to develop roots is similar to            that of other Zoysia grasses; approximately 2 to 4 weeks.            Average crop time to produce an initial mature and            marketable stand of turf grass sod is approximately 7 to 9            months. Precise timing varies depending on fertilizer and            water inputs as well as geographical location.        -   Growth habit.—Perennial plant with a prostrate growth habit            forming a tight mat of stolons which root adventitiously on            the ground surface and branch heavily at the stolon nodes.            Culms are prostrate, becoming decumbent when flowering. Root            system is typical for that of Zoysia grass species; a            network of rhizomes and fibrous feeder roots.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate to vigorous.        -   Stolon length.—Longest observed stolon is 70 mm.        -   Stolon width.—Approximately 1 mm.        -   Stolon color (adaxial & abaxial).—Juvenile: Yellow-Green            145B; mature: Orange-White 159A.        -   Stolon internode length.—As measured, 10 to 16 mm on mature            stolons.-   Foliage:    -   -   Attachment.—Cauline.        -   Culm attitude.—Prostrate to semi-decumbent when flowering.        -   Culm length.—Most mature culm observed measures at 73 mm,            from stolon node to apex.        -   Culm internode length.—Ranging from 10 to 16 mm.        -   Length of blade.—Mature blades are an average of 75 mm.        -   Width of blade.—Widest, measuring 4 mm.        -   Shape of blade.—Linear.        -   Leaf shape; apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf aspect.—Concave.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture (adaxial & abaxial surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Hairiness (adaxial & abaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: 137B; mature: 137B.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: 137C; mature: 137C.        -   Venation: type.—Parallel.        -   Venation color.—Indistinguishable.        -   Leaf sheath.—Glabrous, ranging from 8 to 10 mm long. Color            approximates to Yellow-Green 145A        -   Collar.—Approximately 1 mm, and constricted. Color            approximates to Yellow-Green 146C.        -   Ligule.—A fringe of approximately 10 to 15 hairs, ranging in            length from 1 to 3 mm.-   Flower:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Spring to fall; in Northern            hemisphere, April to November.        -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Spike-like raceme        -   Total inflorescence size.—25 mm long by 1 mm wide.        -   Rachilla.—Curved; approximately 2 mm in length; width is            minute; color is closest to Green 145B        -   Quantity of spikelets per raceme.—14 to 18 florets        -   Color of spikelets.—The immature lemmas are Yellow-Green            (RHS 146A) and mature to a Grayed-Purple corresponding to            183B.        -   Shape of spikelets.—Narrowly ovoid with an acute apex.        -   Dimensions of spikelets.—Approximately 2 mm long and less            than 1 mm wide.        -   Glumes.—Absent.        -   Awns.—Absent.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Not observed.        -   Style.—Not observed in most Zoysia sp., including ‘DR2011’.        -   Stigma.—Featherlike; length is approximately 1 mm; wide is            minute; color is Yellow-Green 154D        -   Ovary.—Not observed.-   Seeds and fruits: The number of seed per raceme, seed dimensions and    color of seed correspond to the number of spikelets, spikelet    dimensions and spike color.-   Environmental tolerances:    -   -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither tolerance nor resistance to            normal diseases and pests of Zoysia japonica has been            observed.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Zoysia japonica is known to tolerate            temperatures from approximately 10 degrees F. to at 115            degrees F.        -   Drought tolerance.—Like other Zoysia species, ‘DR2011’            exhibits good drought tolerance relative to other Genus of            warm season grasses such as Stenotaphrum sp.        -   Soil tolerances.—Tolerant of most soil types; from sandy            loam to loamy clay; maintains good turf quality in            low-fertility soils.

COMPARISON OF ‘DR2011’ WITH OTHER VARIETIES OF ZOYSIA JAPONICA

The closest known comparator to ‘DR2011’ is Zoysia japonica ‘Zenith’(not patented). While similar in foliage color, texture andenvironmental tolerances, there are certain differences whichdistinguish ‘DR2011’ from ‘Zenith’. ‘DR2011 produces fewerinflorescences, produces a dense foliage canopy, and the foliageattitude is more prostrate.

While both the claimed plant and the comparator are noted for deep greenfoliage color, ‘DR2011’ exhibits a darker green foliage color whencompared to ‘Zenith’. The adaxial leaf surface of ‘DR2011’ is green1378, whereas the adaxial leaf surface of ‘Zenith’ approximates to 138A.

‘DR2011’ has a more prostrate culm attitude compared to that of ‘Zenith’which has a decumbent culm attitude. The prostrate nature of ‘DR2011’makes it less prone to scalping compared to ‘Zenith’. It is believedthat the prostrate nature of the culms also attributes to the greaterturf density when compared to the turf density of ‘Zenith’.

It is estimated that ‘Zenith’ will produce twice as many inflorescenceas ‘DR2011’.

Differences in foliage dimensions distinguish the claimed plant from‘Zenith’. ‘DR2011; has a foliage length of 75 mm and a width of 4.0 mmwhereas ‘Zenith’ has a length of 80 mm and a width of 3.0 mm, whichgives ‘DR2011’ a broader leaf texture.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Zoysiajaponica plant named ‘DR2011’, substantially as described andillustrated herein.